有 · 没有
to have; not to have
Structure
主语 + 有 + 名词 · 主语 + 没有 + 名词
What it means
有 means “to have”, and also “there is / there are”. Its negative is always 没有.
How it is built
Subject + 有 + noun: 我有一个姐姐 (I have an older sister). Subject + 没有 + noun: 大卫没有孩子 (David doesn't have any children).
When to use it
Use it for things and people you have, and for families: 我家有五口人 (There are five people in my family). Answer a 有……吗？ question with just 有 or 没有.
Watch out
有 never takes 不: ✗ 我不有孩子 ✓ 我没有孩子.
Examples
我有一个姐姐，一个弟弟。
I have an older sister and a younger brother.
大卫没有孩子。
David doesn’t have any children.
你有中文名字吗？——没有。
Do you have a Chinese name? — No.
我家里没有猫，也没有狗。
We don’t have a cat or a dog at home.
Learn this in HSK 1 · Lesson 4: 我家有五口人 (How many in your family?)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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